Hannah Cernik

Growing up in Hartford, Wisconsin, after relocating with her family from San Antonio, Texas, Hannah loves the Midwest and feels nostalgic for the South. She received a Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Science from Concordia University Wisconsin after being accepted into the school’s competitive accelerated program for Occupational Therapy. She went on to earn a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through the accelerated program after completing her thesis on holism in pelvic health through occupational therapy and a capstone experience. Through the thesis writing and capstone experience, Hannah developed and implemented evidence-based occupation-focused classes, handouts, blogs, and social media posts targeting maternal wellness pre- and postpartum.

Hannah’s interest in OT stemmed from her fascination with the interconnectedness of anatomical systems and her personal and observed experiences with chronic pain and physical dysfunction. She grew her skills and experience through treating at Concordia’s pro bono clinic and placements in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her primary treatment interests include anything outpatient, specifically shoulders, elbows, and hands, as well as aspiring to complete her pelvic health certifications to work with women experiencing pelvic dysfunction and pain.

Hannah’s bottom line is that she loves people. Whether pausing to talk to a stranger in the supermarket or walking alongside a patient in their journey through recovery, she finds joy in community. For this reason, Hannah’s treatment approaches focus on gaining a full understanding of each patient and supplementing manual treatment with activity, exercise, and education to foster engagement in personal occupations.

Hannah lives with her husband in Oconomowoc, where they explore the coffee scene in Milwaukee/Lake Country year-round and downhill ski in the winter months. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys trail running, playing piano, and serving on the leadership team for a young adult ministry.